layout Joe's Junction

[Josef2000]

Project Overview: Joe’s Junction

Scale: OO (1:76)

Size: 14ft x 7ft

Theme: Irish Railway Layout

Era: Modern Irish Rail / IE 2000s–Present

Control System: DCC – DCC-EX CSB1 Command Station

Key Features

• Double-track mainline - Hoping to create two baseboards as a 'double-deck' layout.

• Connolly Station - With my take on it and with size limitations.

• Belfast Central/Lanyon Station - Again with my take on it and with size limitations.

• Freight sidings - Mainly for storing locos, not really into the whole shunting side of things. Love to just watch the trains go around.

• Scenery including busy high streets, level crossings, tunnels and my take on the 18 Arches, more like 8 in my case.

Planned Stock

• Irish Rail 201 Class locomotives

• De Dietrich Enterprise Set (currently printing)

• 80 Class DEMU (brass kit) & (3D Print)

• 3x 22000 ICR (awaiting release from IRM)

• 450 Class 2-car (respray from Chris Dyer)

• Freight stock: Minimal, atypical wagons used from old Hornby sets.

• MPV (respray from Chris Dyer)

• Class 3000/4000 CAFs & IE Class 29000s.

Objectives

• Create a layout as a side hobby to distract myself from the old mental illness.

• Reminisce.

• Learn new skills including carpentry, electronic wiring, painting and a lot more.

• Have a layout that I can sit back and watch 'in my own wee world'.

[Josef2000]

Just thought I'd make a thread to post progress, it's more so for me but feel free to read/reply or ignore.

Currently in the process of creating a track plan however, I feel that it is a stage in which I could spend countless hours on. I've attached two images of the track plan so far, Connolly should be a basic loop outside of the station, similar to Belfast in the first image.

[DJ Dangerous]

I see a few Chris Dyer pieces of stock on your list. Fair play!

[Josef2000]

@DJ Dangerous I was hoping to source more from him however I suppose God had other plans. R.I.P Chris.

I do believe a close friend of his will be taking the stock, no doubt that it's understandably not a priority amongst the family.

Very excited to finish printing the enterprise set. Here are some renders.

However, I think I may start smaller as I've never painted/airbrushed so I'm thinking of creating a sign or even just printing some resin and having a go first.

[DJ Dangerous]

That De Dietrich stock looks amazing!!!

[Josef2000]

Not an affiliate or anything but I managed to pick up this 80 Class from Cults3D.

I also managed to grab a brass kit of the 80 Class from some Irish company that I don't think are around. Anyways here is the 3d print version!

Many thanks @DJ Dangerous,

For anyone reading, it's worth noting that the layout looks promising however I have little time for the layout, as I'm currently in uni and trying to navigate around my mental health problems, not to mention that while I'm familiar with model railways, I haven't any skills besides 3d modelling and so I can see myself getting frustrated, having to do things over again etc.

Suppose as long as I meet my objectives, I'll be sucking diesel as they say!

[DJ Dangerous]

Totally clueless regarding 3D printing, but do you mean that you bought a file from Cults3D that you then feed into your own printer to print the model?

[Josef2000]

8 hours ago, DJ Dangerous said:

Totally clueless regarding 3D printing, but do you mean that you bought a file from Cults3D that you then feed into your own printer to print the model?

Yeah so I created the enterprise myself, and bought the 80 Class from Cults3D. They're both of the same format that you send to the printer, which then prints the model.

I decided to use an online 3d print service as they have access to bigger 'industrial' size printers, so that allows me to print the models in a much better quality.

[Newtoncork]

Have you thought about 3D printing the Mk4's?

[Flying Snail]

6 hours ago, Josef2000 said:

Yeah so I created the enterprise myself,

Please do post a few images once you have them printed - the renders look very impressive!!

[Bob229]

A very interesting project and layout please do post any updates, layouts are a long term project so no hurry enjoy it

[Josef2000]

On 10/04/2025 at 13:18, Newtoncork said:

Have you thought about 3D printing the Mk4's?

To be honest, it's not something I've thought about. However, if the DDs turn out well, then I'm sure I could create the MK4s, too!

 

23 hours ago, Flying Snail said:

Please do post a few images once you have them printed - the renders look very impressive!!

Thank you! I hope to have the 'bare plastic' within the next few weeks.